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You will find soon, that hybrid will be the only solution to use cars in urban areas, leaving ICE power only for uninhabited zones.
The reason is pollution.
I know that in the US, the leaders are blindfolded and prefer to keep the public ignorant of these concerns, but it will catch up with you too.

You could say that it's irrelevant to motor racing, and you could be right to a point, but R & D are excellent selling points to convince companies to invest in the sport.

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Has nothing to do with being blindsided and everything to do with the EROEI. Hybrid will never take hold here, the cost of oil and the efficiency with which it generates energy dictates it to be so.

By the time the reserves (of which there are estimated over 200 years in the US alone) are used up, nuclear fusion will be a reality. Electrical and other alternative energy sources could never generate enough to meet our demand, let alone globally.

In Europe - especially countries reliant on foreign oil - hybrid makes much more sense. That's why the Ukraine is such a hot bed.

Has nothing to do with being blindsided and everything to do with the EROEI. Hybrid will never take hold here, the cost of oil and the efficiency with which it generates energy dictates it to be so.

By the time the reserves (of which there are estimated over 200 years in the US alone) are used up, nuclear fusion will be a reality. Electrical and other alternative energy sources could never generate enough to meet our demand, let alone globally.

In Europe - especially countries reliant on foreign oil - hybrid makes much more sense. That's why the Ukraine is such a hot bed.

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Like I said, the hybrid path chosen by many countries in the world, has absolutely nothing to do with access to oil, or its cost, but with pollution.
Maybe you do not have the same concern about air quality we have here in Europe (the proof is that the USA pulled out of the Kyoto Treaty), but we want to take steps to improve it.
We systematically monitor air quality in towns, measure the level of CO2, or NOX particules, etc... When it is critical, some towns stop all traffic until it reaches an acceptable level. Who can drive then? Only vehicles under electric power.
More and more cities in Europe ban traffic to ICE vehicles; only hybrid vehicles under electric power, or electric vehicles are allowed.
Of course, you can drive on the petrol engine out of towns, but not in urban areas.
If the cars are to survive, they have to become hybrid within 10 to 15 years at most.
Some European countries (China too) have decided to ban the manufacture and sale of ICE powered cars soon (Germany 2030, France 2040, etc...)
Already, after 2020, there will be strong incentive (fiscal) to buy hybrid vehicles. Why do you think all the manufacturers switch to hybrid or electric? Including the luxury brands like, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Land Rover, etc...
So this has nothing to do with oil reserves, or the availability of oil, but purely with carbon emission. The car industry will adapt, or it will disappear.
If you think you can live in a bubble in the US, and ignore the facts, like your government wants you to, it's up to you, but you will only fall behind in technology, nothing else.

BTW, some oil producing countries in the Middle East, are big investors in alternative energy research !!

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Like I said, the hybrid path chosen by many countries in the world, has absolutely nothing to do with access to oil, or its cost, but with pollution.
Maybe you do not have the same concern about air quality we have here in Europe (the proof is that the USA pulled out of the Kyoto Treaty), but we want to take steps to improve it.
We systematically monitor air quality in towns, measure the level of CO2, or NOX particules, etc... When it is critical, some towns stop all traffic until it reaches an acceptable level. Who can drive then? Only vehicles under electric power.
More and more cities in Europe ban traffic to ICE vehicles; only hybrid vehicles under electric power, or electric vehicles are allowed.
Of course, you can drive on the petrol engine out of towns, but not in urban areas.
If the cars are to survive, they have to become hybrid within 10 to 15 years at most.
Some European countries (China too) have decided to ban the manufacture and sale of ICE powered cars soon (Germany 2030, France 2040, etc...)
Already, after 2020, there will be strong incentive (fiscal) to buy hybrid vehicles. Why do you think all the manufacturers switch to hybrid or electric? Including the luxury brands like, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Land Rover, etc...
So this has nothing to do with oil reserves, or the availability of oil, but purely with carbon emission. The car industry will adapt, or it will disappear.
If you think you can live in a bubble in the US, and ignore the facts, like your government wants you to, it's up to you, but you will only fall behind in technology, nothing else.

BTW, some oil producing countries in the Middle East, are big investors in alternative energy research !!

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You missed my point. You still need to generate that energy, and that energy will still be generated by oil or nuclear. Pollution has nothing to do with it - it has to do with thermodynamics... you can't more out than you invest. Until an alternative energy source can be found that is more efficient than fossil fuels, it will be nothing more than folly.

You missed my point. You still need to generate that energy, and that energy will still be generated by oil or nuclear. Pollution has nothing to do with it - it has to do with thermodynamics... you can't more out than you invest. Until an alternative energy source can be found that is more efficient than fossil fuels, it will be nothing more than folly.

Nuclear fusion is the only answer.

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What seems to escape you is that the use of fossil fuel to power vehicles in large urban concentrations is under threat because it affects health and quality of life.
So ICE engines will be banned in town in the near future, that you like it or not. There is no point burying your head in the sand about it. Wait for when some collectives start suing local authorities because of the increase in respiratory problems, recrudescence of asthma, children born with defects, high rate of cancers, etc... Do not underestimate the power of lobbies !

It doesn't matter if it's less efficient to generate electricity to power vehicles or if that electricity comes from fossil fuels, as long as it is done far from towns, large concentration of habitat, and doesn't affect the health of millions of people. Beside, we have hardly harnessed all the various sources of energy available, for the simple reason that governments and oil companies had steered us in a different direction: one that serves their interest. Nuclear is also a fossil fuel, it comes with pollution and danger, so it's far from ideal.

Don't think that my position is extreme. My son is a physicist, who worked for years for Westinghouse in a nuclear power station in Sweden. Now, he is a convert to renewable energy and swears by solar, wind and tide power. Scandinavia, Germany and several other countries are giving up nuclear. And Sweden is far from being a densely populated country!

No. The cars will have styling Q's to link them too road cars, but they will not be based in any way on any road cars. I doubt we'll see things like the 911 GT1, Nissan R390 or the Mercedes CLR. Instead it'll be an LMP1 type chassis with bodywork in the vein of those cars.

Ford and Ferrari are among the manufacturers no longer attending the meetings to shape the FIA and ACO’s proposed ‘Hypercar’ regulations, which are due to come into force in the 2020-21 World Endurance Championship.

Sportscar365 has learned that both automakers, along with Porsche, which were among the half-dozen manufacturers in roundtable discussions prior to the ACO’s announcement of the platform at Le Mans in June, have been absent from recent technical working group meetings in Paris.

It’s understood up to 15 invites were sent to manufacturers, constructors and suppliers, with active involvement from only Toyota and Aston Martin on the OEM front and McLaren represented by an employee from McLaren Applied Technologies.

Representatives from leading prototype constructors ORECA and Onroak Automotive, however, have also been present, along with engine supplier Gibson.

While attendance is not mandatory, manufacturers that do not participate in the meetings are unable to provide direct input into the shape of the regulations, and have historically not taken up programs.

Ford Performance global motorsports director Mark Rushbrook acknowledged its absence from meetings but said they are still monitoring developments from afar.

It comes amid speculation that Ford has already committed internally to a DPi program for as early as 2019.

“We’re still following the process to see where it goes,” Rushbrook told Sportscar365.

“We’ve established what our principles are that would interest us in that series or not and we’re following along to see where it ends up.”

Rushbrook indicated that Ford will not enter the yet-to-be-named top prototype class in the WEC unless the same platform is utilized in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, which is due for a regulations refresh in 2022.

“Our principles are that it’s got to be global, meaning the same set of rules exist in WEC and IMSA, it’s got to be affordable and it’s got to be relevant,” he said.

A rift with the ACO stemming from the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which saw the Ferrari 488 GTEs struggle in GTE-Pro following multiple class-wide balance of performance adjustments, is believed to have contributed to the Italian manufacturer’s departure from the talks.

Atherton: “Nothing’s Changed” on IMSA’s Position

IMSA President Scott Atherton says they remain committed to “seeing this process through” with the FIA and ACO before coming to a final decision on the potential adoption of the Hypercar regs.

The proposed budgets, in the €25-30 million ($30-35 million) range, is the “biggest hurdle” for IMSA, according to Atherton, who confirmed that Simon Hodgson, its VP of competition, was in the initial TWG meeting last month.

“Nothing’s changed from our perspective coming out of the announcements at Le Mans in that we’re committed to seeing this process through,” Atherton told Sportscar365.

“The goal right now is to be aligned in this global platform which is coming at you full speed… It’s a full commitment on our part to see this through, and I think our voice in the room is valid.”

Atherton said a decision will likely be taken during the finalization of the regulations, which are due to be presented to the FIA World Motor Sport Council for approval in early December.

ferrari is back Ferrari, Ford still at negotiating table
BMW has joined Toyota, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Ford and McLaren in the discussions on the hypercar concept rules - reports that Ferrari and Ford have not been present at the working group meetings are not accurate.

Ferrari's position is that it "will not be leaving the table" until the rule-making process is complete, according to a spokesman.

He said that Ferrari was working with the FIA and the ACO "to find a cost-effective solution that in our opinion should allow the possibility to exploit to the maximum the synergy with road car design and technologies".

Ford was represented by Multimatic, which masterminds the Ford GT programme, at the latest meetings.

16R is one of my favorite race cars of all time (the #38 Fina shorttail F1 GTR in the video). The 993 GT1s always looked so odd to me, but the 996 lights were a nice upgrade in 1997. The 1998 911 version is an amazing machine and completely different, but I miss that naturally aspirated V12 at LeMans. The BMW V12 LMR ran the same engine and won in 1999...the last n/a V12 to do so. The V12s of Audi and Peugeot later were TT'd...no thanks.

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I think it's doubtful, but you never know. Even with a less expensive LMP formula, it's still an expensive proposition, and Ferrari already spends a ton in F1.

OTOH, Ferrari could make a lot of money on homologation specials!

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From what I recall Ferrari is only interested if it can supply customer cars. They aren't interested in a factory program. Ferrari will of course pretend to be interested just so they can leverage F1 in their favor.

Fillon: Manufacturer Request Led to Hypercar Production RulesProduction requirements in the ‘hypercar’ top-level prototype class originated with some manufacturers requesting to run production-based equipment, according to ACO President Pierre Fillon.

They state that manufacturers must build 25 road cars using production versions of their competition hybrid powertrains by the end of their first season in the FIA World Endurance Championship, with that number rising to 100 by the end of the second season.

Fillon explained that the requirements were formed after some manufacturers requested to use a production-based combustion engine or energy recovery system.

“The philosophy of the rules is not to use a road car and put the road car on the track,” he told Sportscar365.

“[This] is more expensive than to produce a prototype with bodywork that looks like a hypercar. But, some manufacturers ask [for] the possibility to use some elements of the production car in the race car.

“You can have some manufacturers that want to use elements of the road car, but the road car doesn’t exist yet.

“So, the idea is, it will be possible to use some elements of the road car. It can be a hybrid system, for example, but you have to produce at least 25 [hybrid systems].

“And if you want to use other elements of the road car, you have to have the commitment to produce 25 cars in a certain amount of time.”

It’s now understood that manufacturers don’t need to meet the production demands if the engine or ERS system is not intended for a road car.

I need an "ACO - common language" dictionary to understand that. So you don´t need to use a road car engine but if you do you have to build 100 units after the second season. But, why would you want to use road technology if it´s not mandatory? You could run a prototype without the hassle of building 100 road cars.

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It seems Interesting that the FIA/ACO have gone this route especially when the ACO has
staunchly fought against having a Supercar/Hypercar formula going back to the GT1 days
when this sort of formula could have saved the category.

Thinking back to when ALMS wanted to bring in the Maserati MC12 with Risi Competizione
as the entrant. The resulting fallout nearly resulting in the ACO withdrawing the ALMS's license
until the MC12 was declawed with ballast, restrictions and it would not qualify for points.

Ferrari is one of a number of high profile manufacturers ready to commit to the next ‘Hypercar’ regulations set to replace the current LMP1 from the 2020/2021 FIA WEC season.

Multiple industry sources have confirmed to DSC that the Italian supercar maker, which took part throughout the development process in the Technical Working Groups to develop the regulations, is actively evaluating a programme for the second season of the regulations: 2021/2022. The marque is understood to be awaiting the final technical regulations to determine whether the budgets it requires to meet its commercial objectives will be achievable.

The impetus for the programme is believed to be driven centrally by Ferrari rather than an external partner team with the attraction of the regulations understood to be a combination of the hybrid powertrain (an area in which Ferrari have significant expertise), the visual cues with road going cars and the potential for a high profile global programme (including Le Mans) at a much reduced cost compared to previous regulations.

Ferrari then joins Toyota (understood to be ready to commit for the opening year of the new ruleset), McLaren (development programme understood to be active), Aston Martin (Active participants in regulation development and evaluating options), Glickenhaus (targeting Year 1) and at least one other high profile manufacturer in playing an active part in the development of the new regulations with a view to potential entry into the fray.

With timeframes tight, the first year of the new regulations looks almost certain to include grandfathered versions of the current generation of non-hybrid Privateer LMP1s, a matter that has been described by a senior insider as “an option that will be seriously considered depending on take-up of the new regulations in Year 1.”

Ferrari is one of a number of high profile manufacturers ready to commit to the next ‘Hypercar’ regulations set to replace the current LMP1 from the 2020/2021 FIA WEC season.

Multiple industry sources have confirmed to DSC that the Italian supercar maker, which took part throughout the development process in the Technical Working Groups to develop the regulations, is actively evaluating a programme for the second season of the regulations: 2021/2022. The marque is understood to be awaiting the final technical regulations to determine whether the budgets it requires to meet its commercial objectives will be achievable.

The impetus for the programme is believed to be driven centrally by Ferrari rather than an external partner team with the attraction of the regulations understood to be a combination of the hybrid powertrain (an area in which Ferrari have significant expertise), the visual cues with road going cars and the potential for a high profile global programme (including Le Mans) at a much reduced cost compared to previous regulations.

Ferrari then joins Toyota (understood to be ready to commit for the opening year of the new ruleset), McLaren (development programme understood to be active), Aston Martin (Active participants in regulation development and evaluating options), Glickenhaus (targeting Year 1) and at least one other high profile manufacturer in playing an active part in the development of the new regulations with a view to potential entry into the fray.

With timeframes tight, the first year of the new regulations looks almost certain to include grandfathered versions of the current generation of non-hybrid Privateer LMP1s, a matter that has been described by a senior insider as “an option that will be seriously considered depending on take-up of the new regulations in Year 1.”

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If anything it will be a customer program. There is no chance in hell they have a factory LMP1, Hypercar, CarCar or whatever it is going to be called program.

In 2014 Alonso was the official starter for Le Mans and there were all these rumors that Ferrari was coming back to LMP1. They even called a press conference to announce it. Of course it got cancelled shortly before it was to happen. It was all just to build leverage in F1.